Where Do I Start?

You may have found this blog because you’re looking to lose weight. You might have a significant amount of weight to lose, or you might just be looking to shift a few pounds so you’re a bit more comfortable in your own skin.

Or, you might just be having a bit of a nosey. No worries.

Either way, if you’re looking to make a big change to your life, it’s difficult to know exactly where to start. I hear ya. God knows, I tried pretty much every diet under the sun in the hopes of getting Beyonce’s thighs and J-Lo’s butt. Given I was starting at nearly 300lbs, that looked pretty unlikely.

Still is, to be fair – but I’m nothing if not an eternal optimist. But the thing is… It’s about more than just finding the right “diet.”

With Matt’s help, I really do believe we can provide you with the tools you need to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. And those two words are important. There is absolutely no point going on a diet that’s damaging to your health, only to lose thirty pounds and gain forty back. That’s just a mug’s game – and one I’ve played myself a fair few times.

But if you’re used to losing weight in that way, one of the first things you need to do is to adjust your expectations. This blog won’t help you to lose a stone in a week – but it could help you to lose a hundred pounds in a year. If – and this is a big if – you can change your mindset to think long-term.

It’s about escaping the diet mentality – for good.

But where do you start?

I’ve written a couple of posts about this that should help to get the ball rolling – which you can find here:

You can also download the Exercise Programme here, and the Meal Plan here - and if you’ve got any questions after that, there’s a strong chance they might be answered here. Obviously, if anything’s still a bit unclear, let me know!

For all this, though, the most important thing you have to do to make a real difference to your body is to learn to appreciate it. When you look in the mirror, it’s easy to only see the flaws. What’s more difficult – considerably more difficult – is to find the good in your body. That said, I defy anyone to look at their body and not be able to identify one thing that’s pretty great. Even if it’s just your toes.

(My toes are pathetic – so if you do happen to be one of the lucky ones on that front, consider me jealous.)

I’m a firm believer in the fact that you absolutely have to give yourself a break, if you’re going to lose weight and keep it off. I think too much of the weight loss industry – something we’re firmly situating ourselves outside of – is based around ideas of self-loathing and failure, rather than putting an emphasis on positive change and self-improvement.

If you can change your relationship with your body, with food, and with exercise, so that these things seem good, rather than bad, you’re guaranteed success.

So with all that in mind, I guess what I’m saying is… Be nice. Be nice to yourself. Enjoy your food. And have fun!